History

In response to the University's commitment to science research, the former PUP President Dr. Nemesio E. Prudente approved on August 1991 the creation of the Science and Technology Research and Development Center (STRDC) which was more popularly known as SciTech Center.  This was initiated in his desire to promote science consciousness and maximize the expertise of PUP faculty members in the development of indigenous scientific and technological researches for national industrialization.

Initially, Dr. Hector B. Morada was the acting director of the SciTech Center.  The center focused mainly on conducting seminars/workshops on R&D which featured recognized scientists and technologists as guest lecturers. In 1993, Prof. Raoul E. Cawagas was appointed as deputy director by then PUP President Dr. Zenaida A. Olonan. Its main thrust was to start the systematic development of the R&D capability of the University.  It was able to set up a microbiological and chemical laboratory from a grant provided by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).  When Dr. Ofelia M. Carague was appointed PUP President in 1998, Prof. Rebecca S. Tolentino was designated as director. Health and sanitation studies, water quality and environmental pollutant researches were conducted within the vicinity of the University. 

The research capability of the center continued to heighten in the various fields of science, mathematics, engineering and technology.  Thus, when incumbent PUP President Dr. Emanuel C. De Guzman and Vice-President for Research, Extension, and Development Dr. Manuel M. Muhi assumed into office in 2012, SciTech's role as a research center was expanded and it eventually took the name Institute for Science and Technology Research (ISTR).  The institute hopes to contribute to the university's vision of becoming an epistemic community through research advances and innovation in the fields of science and technology.